THE Scottish Budget must boost education spending and support for students and apprentices, NUS Scotland has urged.

Ahead of the SNP Scottish government publishing its draft Budget on Wednesday, the union has demanded that the £100 million cash-terms cut to colleges and universities last year be reversed and peak fares on ScotRail be axed once again.

NUS Scotland argues that the Scottish government should adopt STUC plans to raise more than £3 billion-a-year extra, more than enough to fund those demands as well as boost financial support and long-term mental health support for struggling students and apprentices across the country.

NUS Scotland president Sai Shraddha S Viswanathan said: “There can be no more excuses.

“International students are bearing this burden, paying extortionate fees to help close the gap created by a decade of underfunding.

“This while struggling with the immense hidden costs of education that all students in Scotland face, like overpriced transport and unaffordable rents.

“If the Scottish government wants to show they care about students and apprentices, they’ll fund these asks and set us on a path to a healthier education system and a fairer society.”

A Scottish government spokesperson said: “We have increased the financial support available in Scotland to £11,400 and we launched a new Student Mental Health Action Plan in September.”